Is it Time for Megson to Go?

After only four league games there are already Bolton fans calling for the head of Gary Megson. Leaving aside kneejerk reactions and those who never wanted him in the first place, there is still a significant portion of Wanderers supporters who feel that the club has no future with the Ginger One at the helm. Are they right?

The risks of changing manager frequently are well known. Clubs who do so underachieve. One need only look at Newcastle United and Manchester City to realise that. Bolton have done it themselves in the past as they plummeted through the divisions. In addition, Megson has assembled his own backroom staff. Dispensing with his services would mean yet another protracted period of instability.

Yet these indisputable facts seems less important when you see Bolton play. They are an embarrassment to the Premier League. One journalist reporting on the game at Fulham, described them as ‘blunt and brainless`. Anyone disagree?

In four league games the Wanderers have scored one goal from open play, and that was an accident. Their passing is poor and movement off the ball non-existent. The midfield is easily bypassed and the inability to retain possession laughable. Describing Bolton as a team wouldn`t be accurate. They are a collection of individuals.

Granted, these faults are nothing new, they were in evidence in the last few months of Sam Allardyce`s time, but Megson, despite having the entire pre-season with the squad and spending amounts of money that his predecessors could only dream of, has failed to rectify them. Is he even aware of the problems? Oh yes. The most accurate post match assessments come from G.Megson esq. The same can`t be said for the solutions.

Much has been made of the absence of first-choice players on Saturday. Clearly, Gary Cahill is a better defender than Danny Shittu and wouldn`t have been quite so easily stiffed by Bobby Zamora, but even with Johan Elmander and Matt Taylor present, as they were in the opening game against Stoke, there was a dearth of attacking ideas. It was hoped that new coach Steve Wigley would improve Bolton`s prowess in that department, but so far he has proved as ineffective in that role as he was as a manager. In addition, as a poster on one of the Bolton forums pointed out, he bears a disturbing facial resemblance to Ralph Wiggum off the Simpsons.

It is difficult to be optimistic about Bolton`s chances, especially with the games to come. Next up are Arsenal, whose incisiveness was so lethal against Blackburn. Theo Walcott versus Jlloyd Samuel. Emmanuel Adebayor against Danny Shittu. Ouch. Rumours that sofas will be installed in the stands, so that Whites fans can watch the game from behind them have yet to be confirmed. Then there`s a little trip to Old Trafford to look forward to.

Giving Megson the boot now, is a little previous, but if there isn`t a significant improvement by the end of game ten then it`s time to act. Those who demonstrated outside the Reebok last season will already be busy with old blankets and felt tip pens. Let`s hope they get the spelling right this time.